Gets a loooong look in camp (as long as a look can be in a 7 day camp anyway) but ends up getting sent down in a numbers game, letting DJ and Tangradi battle it out for a spot in the top 6. Once we sort out the logjam on defense, and one or both of the fore mentioned players falter in the top 6, BB gets plugged into the lineup and never leaves.

I really wouldn't mind seeing him start out the season in Pittsburgh. Tangradi's gotten enough chances to show something here, if Kennedy doesn't get the top 6 promotion Bennett would be my next choice the way he's playing (not saying I think Kennedy should play t6 but just that I'd take him over anyone else currently on the roster)

The Penguins coaching staff says that they haven't given Tangradi a chance. Kennedy clearly can't play in the top six because of his limitations as a worker bee. Can't grow with the skilled players he's with.

BB is the top point getter on WBS and its not an offensive team.The AHL was as good as it has ever been, BUT, I'm still not sure he's ready for the the NHL. He will get a look at some point this year, maybe right away, but if he struggles the coaches should ship him back to WBS with a pat on the back, additional experience and motivation so that he knows what to expect on his next visit.

I spoke to Beau at prospect camp and he told me by his own admission that he wouldn't even be 100% healthy wrist-wise until around December. His wrist was so bad he had actually changed the flex in his stick to get a better rip off his shot and to sacrifice for the lost strength in the arm.

Bennett has been great this year, but he has missed time with WB/S recently for other injury issues. The majority of his points have come on the power-play. When I spoke about him at draft time one of the things we talked about was how violent his shot was and how great he was from the half-wall with that Mario-esque one-timer. That's a good indication of how he's scoring his goals right now. He's certainly upped his play in the physicality department and isn't getting pushed around a lot, but I really don't know if he's ready for a top 6 role yet; that's one of the tough determinations that Dan Bylsma is going to have to make in a very short period of time at training camp.

I will say this, if the indication is that BB isn't ready to take time along someone in the top 6, send him back down immediately. This is not a player that would have anything to gain from limited time in a bottom six role. It's either big minutes in WB/S or top 6 in the NHL. There isn't much in-between there.

Patience is required for a player of his ilk in the development realm. If he doesn't make it right now, it's not cause for concern, he just started playing pro hockey 4 months ago.

Tangradi IS a 3rd/4th liner at this point. If he played his way onto a higher line, that would eb great. He has been thrown into the top 2 lines and done nothing, so he is not that. The only way for him to move up is by proving he isn't a 3rd/4th liner, but his style of play is suited to those lines.

Idoit40fans wrote:Tangradi IS a 3rd/4th liner at this point. If he played his way onto a higher line, that would eb great. He has been thrown into the top 2 lines and done nothing, so he is not that. The only way for him to move up is by proving he isn't a 3rd/4th liner, but his style of play is suited to those lines.

Whilst I agree Tangradi has shown little top 6 talent in the NHL I'm still of the opinion that a few games at a position is a fair shot, not a few shifts. If ET can't show anything in a few games or adapt to a lower line send him packing.

BB undoubtedly has a greater upside and I really hope he becomes a force on Sid's wing, but he has 0 NHL games and is coming off an injury - rushing him into a shortened season may do more damage than good.